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Mercer Announces Tropical Garden Reopening

Just days after the anniversary of Hurricane Harvey, Mercer Botanic Gardens will officially reopen the Tropical Garden on Monday, Aug. 27.

Although the garden required work after last year's flood, plans to update the garden actually began six years ago.

“The garden needed wider paths to meet ADA standards, along with other improvements,” said Jeff Heilers, Mercer’s horticulture operations manager. “We thought as long as we were making the updates, we should also incorporate another photo area for those Kodak moments.”

With visions of tropical bromeliads and bougainvillea covering ancient stone walls, the decision was made to recreate a stone plaza with the feel and sound of an ancient tropical jungle, like you might find in the Yucatan areas of Mexico.

“We started looking in statuary catalogs and found the perfect focal point – a fountain resembling one of the 20-ton stone heads carved thousands of years ago during the time of the Olmec civilization,” added Heilers. “The fountain will run continuously, but we’ve added a few surprise elements for special occasions, including fog and glowing eyes that change color!”

With all palms now trimmed from the severe winter weather, Mercer staff is concentrating on final irrigation repairs and bed preparation. “We’ll be adding a lot more tropical plants, including banana trees, plumeria, anthuriums, Coppertone loquats, and other plants that have been growing in and around our greenhouses,” he said. “The final piece of the garden will be the completion of the second plaza wall, which will have a curved stone bench to seat garden guests.”

The Tropical garden will be the third enhancement to Mercer following the opening of the Shakespeare Garden in April and the Children’s Garden in May.

Related

Mercer Botanic Gardens Summer 2018 Program Schedule

With leadership from Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Mercer Botanic Gardens is a Harris County Precinct 4 Parks facility located one mile north of FM 1960 at 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble, 77338. Harris County Precinct 4 programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, sex, religion, national origin, or physical ability. Anyone seeking additional information or requiring special assistance to participate in any program should contact Mercer at 713-274-4160 or online at www.hcp4.net/Community/Parks/Mercer.

Mercer Botanic Gardens Winter-Spring 2018 Program Schedule

With leadership from Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Mercer Botanic Gardens is a Harris County Precinct 4 Parks facility located one mile north of FM 1960 at 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble, 77338. Harris County Precinct 4 programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, sex, religion, national origin, or physical ability. Anyone seeking additional information or requiring special assistance to participate in any program should contact Mercer at 713-274-4160 or online at www.hcp4.net/Community/Parks/Mercer.

Mercer Botanic Gardens Celebrates Grand Reopening

Missing Mercer? Get a firsthand look at the newly restored Mercer Botanic Gardens during its grand reopening Saturday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The public is invited to browse Mercer’s East Side Gardens, which have been closed nearly seven months due to damage from Hurricane Harvey.
The event coincides with March Mart, Mercer’s largest plant sale of the year. Funds from the event will help support Mercer’s recovery.
“Mercer staff have worked hard to recover plants in preparation for March Mart

Celebrate the grand reopening of Mercer Botanic Gardens and browse a variety of hard-to-find plants during the annual March Mart Plant Sale Saturday, March 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mercer Botanic Gardens.
Purchase a TMS membership to gain VIP early access to the sale Friday, March 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. or Saturday, March 17 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Visit www.themercersociety.org to learn more about becoming a TMS member and the various membership benefits.
“Mercer staff have worked hard to recover

Mercer Botanic Gardens Fall-Winter 2018 Program Schedule

With leadership from Commissioner R. Jack Cagle, Mercer Botanic Gardens is a Harris County Precinct 4 Parks facility located one mile north of FM 1960 at 22306 Aldine Westfield Road in Humble, 77338. Harris County Precinct 4 programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, sex, religion, national origin, or physical ability. Anyone seeking additional information or requiring special assistance to participate in any program should contact Mercer at 713-274-4160 or online at www.hcp4.net/Community/Parks/Mercer.

Mercer Botanic Gardens Opens New Children’s Garden

Children and families are invited to visit the new Children’s Garden at Mercer Botanic Gardens.
Visitors will have the chance to explore the new garden, which features a larger-than-life succulent lizard; a plant zoo highlighting animal-named plants, such as elephant’s foot jade, red bird plant, and zebra aloe; and sensory plants, such as lamb’s ear and rosemary.
This long-awaited addition is not only a fun, colorful place for children to explore, but it also plays an essential role in Mercer’s educational